Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, January 17, 2007

RESOLTION NO. Q7-Q1XB

RESOLUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE
(An Unincorporated Tribe)

RESOLUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE OGLALA S 1 OUX TIUBfc:
DEMANDING RETURN - OF LAKOTA RE ^ ALIA USED IK PERFORMANCES OF "CHIEF
TLLINIWEK'% AND. IN SUPPORT OF REQUEST 3Y PEORIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA THAT
MASCOT USE CEASE.

WHEREAS * the Executive Committee has the author i :.y and
responsibility, under Article I, Section f j at the Tribal By-Laws, to
"act on behalf of the Council at such times as the Council IM not in
session" and has "charge of all rouvine matters" at such times, rind

WHEREAS , the theatrics of the University of Illinois mascot,
"Chief Illiniwek" involve the use of traditional Lakota buckskin
regalia previously owned by Oglala ancestor Frank Fools Crow, ar_d

WHEREAS, the antics of persons playing "Chief Illiniwek"
perpetuates a degrading rac:iol stereotype that relletit-s negatively cr.
all American Indian people, and

WHEREAS the original eagle feathers frc-m the regalia have been
replaced by painted turkey leathers, but the eagle feathers have not
been returned to the j.amily, and

WHEREAS OgJ sia Dakota regalia : s being misused to represent
"Chief Illiniwek," a d L srespectf ul representation of the people of the
Kaskaskia, Peoria, Piankeshuv/, and Wea nations, in spite of tne "act
that those nations did not traditionally wear Oglala or other Lakota
cloLhi r,g, and

WHEREAS the Peoria Tribe cf Indians of Oklahoma, d^a renders I s of
the Kaskaskia, Peoria, ?iankeshuw f frca nations, have requested

that the University of Illinois cease use of Chief Illiniwek as a
mascot, and

WHEREAS mi Lone Elill, Oglala elder an<3 descendant of Foo J s Crow,
r.as shared ihat it is understood in his family history that Pools Crow
was disappointed at the use made of the regalia by those playing
S '-Chief II .iiniwek" for the University of Illinois, and that his family
would like the regalia and eagle feathers returned to them, atid

WHEREAS the Executive Comml I r r«? of the Oglala Sioux Tribe desires
that its disapproval of the use of the regalia be :»>ide known, now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the

Gglala Sioux Tribe hereby expresses its dissatisfaction wizh the use

of Lakota regalia by tho^c playing "Chief 111 iniwek" for the
University cf Illinois; and

RESOLUTION
Page Two

NO. 07-01XB

BE TT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Committee of the Oqial^
Sioux Tribe demands that the University ce^se the use of Lakota
regalia in the portrayal ^f "Chief 111 irii wek" ; anc

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Committee of the Oglal«
Sioux Tribe hereby demands the return of the regr-i> j.£ and the original
eagle feathers to Mel Lone Kill on behalf of the descendants of Fools
Crow; and

BE TT FORTH ER RESOLVED that the Executive Committee of the Oglala
Sioux Tribe supports the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma in its
request that the University of Illinois recognize the demeaning nature
of the characterization of "Chief illiniwek" ard ciease use of this
mascot .

I, as the undersigned Secretary of the Executive Committee of the
Qq}al& Sioux Tribe, hereby certify that this Resolution wan eridcLed by
a vote Of: 3 For; 0 Against; 0 Abstain; and 0 Not Voting; dtirirg a
REGULAR SESSION* held on the. 17™ day of JANUARY 2001.

C-S-R-T-I-F-T-C-A-T-I-O-N

ELIZABETH WATERS
Secretary

Oglala Sioux Tribe

ft-T-T-E-S-T:

WILLIAM BREWER
President

Oglala Sioux Tribe

Wi SUESftTEISPENT